Bomb scare rocks CNN office in New York

CNN offices and studios in NY were evacuated on Thursday night after a bomb threat was phoned in to the news network.

A freeze on pedestrian traffic was lifted and traffic on West 58th Street was to be opened again.

CNN released the following statement regarding the incident: "There has been a bomb threat phoned into the CNN offices in NY".

"The NYPD is investigating a bomb threat near CNN NYC's office at Columbus Circle", he said.

Staff in offices and studios fled the 24-hour news network's building after several fire alarms went off about 10.30pm.

Using Stelter's iPhone to broadcast live, he and Lemon reported on the unfolding event outside CNN's evacuated offices. The NYPD said they were investigating. When programming returned, a taped version of Anderson 360 began broadcasting. It is unclear whether the threat was directed at CNN or another location close by.

"We are now searching the entire building".

After CNN resumed its live coverage, Lemon said that a "call was made from the southern part of the United States".

In October, the building was evacuated after a package with an explosive device addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan was found.

'FAKE NEWS - THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, ' Trump tweeted just after 10pm.

Don Lemon, who was on the air when the threat forced the abrupt end of his show, also tweeted out the news.